Nikon 14-24 on D810/850

I know there were discussions about the Nikon 14-24 behind a dome vs the 16-35. I am thinking to upgrade to the new D850 from my current D4s and eventually also from the 16-35 to the 14-24. I am using a large dome 9 inch / 230mm Subal DP-230.

Any useful information and actual experiences with similar setup e.g. on Nikon D810 welcome! Thanks

Juerg

just seen that there is a test by Adam on the 14-24 and 16-35 on FX behind a Zen 230 dome:

http://wetpixel.com/articles/review-nikon-fx-wide-angle-lenses

and the 16-35 seems superior over the 14-24. However, for both lenses the same extension ring was used, namely 80mm. Don't know if these are the optimal distances. E.g. Subal is recommending a 90mm extension ring for the 16-35 and a 65mm ER for the 14-24...

And we all know that a wrong flange distance by a non-optimal extension ring makes things worse, especially an large dome ports and FX...

Any other experiences with the 14-24 out there? thanks.

Hi,

The 14-24 performs poorly behind a dome port. It is a fantastic lens out of it...

The extension rings were the ones recommended for use by the housing manufacturer that the lenses were tested on. Hence you can assume that they are optimal.

I actually shot the lens a fair bit and can categorically state that its corner performance was markedly inferior to that of the 16-35mm.

Adam

Hi Adam,

thanks for your information. I also asked Subal and they are recommending the 14-24 over the 16-35 for this kind of setup (D810/850 and 230 dome), unless shot wide open. But stopped down to f/8 - /f11 the 14-24 performs better. They also confirmed (for Subal housings) a different length of ext rings for both lenses (90mm for 16-35 and 65mm for 14-24).

I probably will just try it for myself. I can use the 14-24 for land shooting should it not perform under water.

Somebody else having first-hand experiences with the 14-24?

I have shot both underwater. The 16-35mm performs well underwater, the 14-24mm does work, just not quite as well. I have made 100s of dives with 16-35mm, I have never bought a 14-24mm. Alex

To be blunt, I have yet to see any wide angle rectilinear lens that gives acceptable corners at f/8 on Nikon Full Frame cameras. I'm pretty sure that no one has!

My experience, both in controlled tests and in actual use is that the 16-35mm outperforms the 14-24 at all apertures.

The issue here is not optical quality, but is the lens's ability to focus close and maintain sufficient DOF to keep the corners in focus. No current lens manufacture prioritizes close focus ability with wide angle lenses as they are not normally used this way. For one lens to do so better is just happy circumstance, rather than design.

Still as you say, if it doesn't work you can use it on land Or you could save the money, get the 16-35mm and go on a holiday and take some amazing pictures!

Adam